Medical Research Council: The MRC is pleased to sign up to this campaign and has, for many years, strongly supported the position that clinical trial results must be published in a timely manner. At the end of 2012, we made both the requirement to publish, and the need for MRC-funded researchers to share data, even more explicit: “results of MRC-funded clinical studies (whether positive or negative) must be published within a reasonable period (generally within a year of completion) following the conclusion of the study. Results should be reported in accordance with the recommendations in the CONSORT statement [Schulz et al. BMJ 2010; 340: c332]. Data should be made available in line with the MRC Policy on Data Sharing” The MRC celebrates its centenary this year and it would be surprising if, in our one hundred year history, there were no unreported or unpublished skeletons in our cupboards. However, tools such as e-Val (developed by the MRC and the precursor of ResearchFish) and Gateway to Research will mean funders such as ourselves will find it far easier to monitor adherence to the policy.
